Leaving the whole Malayalam movie industry into deep sorrow, the versatile actor of Mollywood, N L Balakrishnan (Narayanan Lakshmi Balakrishnan -Born: 17 April 1942 - Died: 25 December 2014,) passed away on December 25. He was 72 years old. With his unique body language and humor sense, he had always lured the heart of Malayalam movie lovers. He was undergoing cancer treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for the last few months. 

Balakrishnan started his career with Rajiv Anchal's 'Ammanam Kili'. From there onwards, the movie industry was blessed to enjoy his performances in the films such as Orkkapurathu, Kakkothikaavile Appoppan Thaadikal, Varnam, Sandram, Spadikam, Dr. Pashupathy, Da Thadiya, Daivathinte Swantham Cleetus, etc. Balakrishnan is also well known for his photography skills. In around 170 movies he worked as a still photographer. Some of them are Spadikam, Mayamayooram, Malootty, Peruvazhiyambalam, etc. For 11 years, he got associated with Kerala Kaumudi as a news photographer. He also wrote a book known as 'Black and White'.

In 2012, Balakrishnan was honored with 'Chalachitra Prathibha Award' by Kerala Film Critics Association. This year he won a special award by the Kerala Lalithakala Academy. He is survived by wife Nalini and a son Rajan.